Thermal Comfort and HVAC Systems Operation Challenges in a Modern Office Building – Case Study

Abstract

The aim of the study is to evaluate the indoor environment conditions in the new-built office building, Energetikum, and consequently suggest the control strategies, which can lead to determination of critical areas and elimination of thermal discomfort. Representative offices have been selected and equipped with portable sensor groups for monitoring of the indoor environment parameters. Contribution is presenting the data obtained from 6 selected rooms during 3 reference weeks - heating, transition and cooling period. The measured results indicate overheating of the rooms, particularly in the ones with the large glazed areas with higher solar gains. The values of indoor air temperature during heating and transition period could not meet the normative criteria according to standard EN 15251:2007 (the cat. II.) during 13 % - 49 % of evaluated time intervals. Consequently, the simulation model of the selected office was created and is pointing to the possibilities of the control system improvement, which can lead to an elimination of the problem with overheating.

Keywords

• indoor environment
• thermal comfort
• simulation